1. Philippians 4:11-13 Part 2 Overcoming Discontentment

2. Contentment: What is it? Paul learned the secret of contentment; he was self-sufficient, not allowing external circumstances to affect his relationship with Christ However, contentment is not self-satisfaction or apathetic indifference

3. Contentment: What is it? We should not be content to follow man (Mt. 15:1-14) We should not be content to live in sin (Lk. 15:17-18; Acts 24:25; 26:28) We should not be content to stand by and do nothing (Obadiah 10-14; Lk. 10:31-32) We should not be content to remain at one level of maturity (Phil. 3:12-14; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5ff; 3:18)

4. Contentment: What is it? We should not be content to ignore our brother’s need (Gal. 6:2; Jas. 2:14ff; 1 Jn. 3:17) We should not be content to be lukewarm (Rev. 3:14-22)

5. Enemies of Contentment Envy – many are content until they see others getting more (Gen. 26:12-14; 1 Sam. 18:8-9; Esther 5:9-14; Lk. 15:25-32) Unbelief – many are content until they fail to trust that God will care for them (Ex. 15:22ff; 16:2ff; Mt. 6:19-33; 1 Cor. 10:10) Covetousness – many are content until they have a greed for more money (Eccl. 1:8; 4:8; 5:10; Prov. 27:20; Lk. 3:14; 12:15-21; 15:11-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-10; Heb. 13:5-6)

6. Enemies of Contentment Pride – many are content until they fill with pride which makes them desire more wealth, power, pleasure (Hab. 2:4-5; 3 Jn. 9-10) Wickedness – many are content until they experience sin and then they can’t get enough (Ezek. 16:28-29; Mk. 15:6-15)

7. Overcoming Discontentment Work at it; it does not come by accident (Phil. 4:11) Count your blessings (1 Thess. 5:18) Keep busy in the Lord’s work (Jn. 4:34; Acts 10:38) Understand that happiness is not tied to things (Lk. 12:15)

8. Overcoming Discontentment Focus on the simple life (Psa. 37:16; Prov. 15:16- 17; 16:8; 17:1; 1 Tim. 6:8) Stop before you get too much of a good thing (Prov. 25:16; 2 Cor. 2:6) Focus on what you have, not on what you don’t have (Eccl. 6:9)

9. A Secret Worth Sharing Be content with what you have physically (Phil. 4:11-13) Don’t be content with what you are spiritually (Phil. 3:5-14)